Signing Up to Take the Exam

After you have studied this book, have taken the sample tests, and feel ready to tackle the real thing, you can sign up to take the exam either at Prometric or at Pearson VUE. The Cisco BCMSN exam costs $125.

Signing Up with Prometric

You can contact Prometric to locate a nearby testing center that administers the test and to make an appointment. The last time we visited the Prometric Web site, a searching system to find the testing center nearest you was located at www.2ittrain.com. The sign-up Web page address for the exam itself is www.2test.com. You can also use this Web page (click the Contact Us link) to obtain a telephone number for the company if you can't or don't want to sign up for the exam on the Web page.

Signing Up with Pearson VUE

You can contact Pearson VUE to locate a nearby testing center that administers the test and to make an appointment. The sign-up Web page address for the exam itself is www.vue.com/cisco.

Scheduling the Cisco BCMSN Exam

To schedule an exam, call at least one day in advance, but do not count on getting an early appointment. In some areas of the United States, tests are booked up for weeks in advance. To cancel or reschedule an exam, you must call at least 12 hours before the scheduled test time (or you might be charged). When calling Prometric, be sure to have the following information ready for the representative who handles your call:

• Your name, organization, mailing address, and email address.

• A unique test ID. For most U.S. citizens, this will be your Social Security number. Citizens of other nations can use their taxpayer IDs or make other arrangements with the order taker.

• The name and number of the exam you want to take. For this book, the exam number is 642-811 and the exam name is BCMSN.

• If you're paying by credit card, be sure to have your card handy as well. If you want to pay by check or another means, you have to obtain the necessary information from the Prometric or Pearson VUE representative with whom you speak.

Taking the Test

When you show up for your appointment, be sure to bring two forms of identification that have your signature on them, including one with a photograph, like a driver's license, passport, or national ID. You won't be allowed to take any printed material into the testing environment, but you can study the cram sheet from the front of this book while you're waiting. Try to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time slot.

All exams are completely closed book. In fact, you will not be permitted to take anything with you into the testing area, but you will be furnished with a blank sheet of paper and a pen. If allowed by the testing center, we suggest that you immediately write down on that sheet of paper any of the information from this book's cram sheet you've had a hard time remembering, such as VLANs, STP, MLS, and other switching technologies and features.

You'll have some time to compose yourself, to record memorized information, and even to take a sample orientation exam before you begin the real thing. We suggest you take the orientation test before taking your first exam, but because they're all more or less identical in layout, behavior, and controls, you probably won't need to do this more than once.